The document provides accounts from several students about their experiences participating in a Comenius exchange program in Penicuik, Scotland from September 10-15, 2013. It describes their activities each day, which included being welcomed by the school principal, attending classes, participating in sporting activities and cultural events, touring Edinburgh, and spending time with their host families. The students reflected on bonding with their exchange partners and other international students from countries like Italy, Spain, Slovenia and the Netherlands. They highlighted activities like Highland Games, a ceilidh, and a rugby match as memorable experiences. The students were sad to say goodbye at the end of the week but were looking forward to future exchanges with their new friends.

1. were fully accom-
plished , the Highland
Games delighted all of
us and everyone, stu-
dents and teacher par-
ticipated. The other
interesting activities
organized delighted us
all and the variety of
the themes proposed
was amazing and they
were a demonstration
of how the entire com-
munity of Penicuik col-
laborated actively with
the school. Great or-
ganization! Our thanks
go Scottish Comenius
team, and to Mr. Mark
Edie, Headmaster of
Penicuik High School.
Mrs. Tomei Giuseppina
Comenius
Coordinator Italy
This is the fourth issue
of the newsletter
Comenius Project
“Healthy Mind in a
Healthy Body” contain-
ing articles from the stu-
dents who participated in
the mobility in Scotland
from the 10th
Sep to the
15th
Sep. 2013 The Mo-
bility in Penicuik accord-
ing to students and
teachers was the best
way ever to start the
school year! We had a
wonderful time meeting
old and new friends and
the exceptional warm
weather seems to greet
the Comenius MODY
team wherever they go.
We have a special aura
of protection that follows
us. Could it be the influ-
ence of the Icelandic
Elves? Great weather
in Iceland in Sep
2012,wonderful
weather in Rome at the
end of Nov. beautiful
weather in Holland
2012,nice weather in
Chez Rep in May 2013
and unexpected beau-
tiful weather in Scot-
land in Sep. 2013. After
our teams leave the
bad weather seems to
return immediately,
isn’t this a strange coin-
cidence?
In Penicuik we had
the warm welcome
from the school staff of
the Penicuik High
School, from all the
students and from the
hosting families . The
anticipations on the
activities of the Big Day
It’s Time to Meet Again !
Index
 News from
Holland
pag. 2 – 3
 News from
Scotland
pag. 4 – 5
 News from
Czech Republic
pag. 6 – 7
 News from
Spain
pag. 8
 News from
Island pag. 9
 News from
Slovenia
pag. 10 – 11
 News from Italy
pag. 12– 13—14
March 2014
Issue 4
N°4
letter

2. Tuesday, September 10.
We finally went to Scotland .
Four students and two
teachers . We had been
standing at the station at
7:15, but that did not stop
our enthusiasm. When
everyone was there we were
on the train . We took first
place in the hallway. And
after a journey of two hours
we were finally at Schiphol.
First check-in and baggage
issue and finally the plane.
For three of the four
students it was the first time
flying . After a one hour flight
we finally took the first steps
in Scotland . We went by
taxi to the school where we
would meet . Our twin -
mates The rest of the day
we had the time to get to
know the family .
Wednesday, September
11.
When we were all very well
in school, we were warmly
welcomed by the school
principal and the mayor .
Then we had to take
lessons . For 12 -hour
break . Food from the
school. Then .. The
presences . After everyone
had done his presentation
we were able to go home
and we had time to spend
with the host family. In the
evening we had an concert
at school with buffet and
typical Scottish dances.
Thursday, September 12.
'The big day' as it was
stated . A sports day with
fun activities such as shinty
( a rougher version of
hockey) and shot put , but also
education about drugs and the
army , and ended with a long walk
through the wonderful scenery of
Scotland. In the evening we had a
musical in the building next to the
school.
Friday, September 13.
An excursion to Edinburgh ,
Scotland's capital . With visits to the
Parliament building and all the
monuments of Edinburgh , as a
conclusion of a long day in
Edinburgh we went to the rugby .
( won by Edinburgh ) . And at half
past 10 we were finally at the
school .
Saturday 14 September.
A day for the family , so I went with
my twin and his fatherto the match
between Hearts and Celtic (which
Celtic won 1-3) and then afterwards
we went bowling and skittle (a
Scottish variant of bowling) Finally ,
we been with the whole family out to
dinner.
Sunday, September 15 .
we had at half nine gather at the school
when all the students were there, the
teachers came fifteen minutes late in
the pouring rain. we went by taxi to the
airport and flew back to the
Netherlands . With a short stop at the
Burger King we went by train to Almelo,
we were home at half past 4.
Tuesday
The day we went to Scotland with four
students and two teachers. We had to
be at the train station very early. And
after two hours we were finally at
Schiphol airport. When we had
checked-in we had to wait about three
hours before the plane departued. We
only had to fly for one hour so it was a
pretty short flight. When we landed at
Edinburgh airport a taxi was waiting to
take us to Penicuik. When we arrived at
the school we had to wait for our
twinmates so we went to the gym in the
school. After about one hour the
Visit to Scotland. Dutch reviews
Page 2Issue 4
Jasper Engelbertink

3. twinmates came and picked
us up.
Wednesday
When everyone was in the
main hall of the school we
were welcomed by the
mayor of Penicuik and the
school principal. After that
we went to the lessons of
our twinmates. After the
break it was time for the
presentations every country
h a d o n e o r m o r e
presentations about sporters
from their country. Later that
evening we had to come
back to the school and we
had an buffet and we were
able to do some typical
scottisch dancing.
Thursday
This was the Big day we had
to go to school in sporting
outfits because their were
lots of sporting activities
throuh out the day. We also
got educated about lots of
things like drugs and the
army by the police and
soldiers. We ended the day
with a long walk through the
countryside of Penicuik. The
evening we spended with
the host family.
Friday
This day we went to
Edinburgh it started with a
visit to the Scottish
Parliamant and after that
we walked through
Edinburgh to many
monuments and places. At
the end of the day we
went to an Rugby game.
Saturday
This day was an family
day, I went with my
twinmate and his friends
and their twinmates to the
zoo in Edinburgh and to
Edingurgh we have been
in the park there and we
have walked around
Edinburgh. In the evening
we went home.
Sunday
This day was departure
day for us it was raining
very bad so we al waited
in the car until the taxi
arrived, when the taxi
arrived we quickly got in
and we went to the airport.
When we had checked in
at the airport we went to
our gate and we shortly
after that the plane also
departed. When we
landed we went to the
train and after two hours
we were finally home.
After all I think it was a
great week at Penicuik!
The first day we arrived in
Scotland, we went to our
hosting families. In the
evening we went diving
and went to a few friends.
The second day, we went
to their school, we
followed a few lessons. In
the evening we had a
typical Scottish ‘party’.
The thirth day we had
s p o r t a c t i v i t i e s .
The fourth day we went to
Edinburgh, that was really
fun.
The fifth day we went to
the zoo with my hosting
family and Isis’ hosting
family
Last summer I went to
Scotland.
I had a lot of fun there.
I stayed with my host
Beth. She and her family
were very nice.
The first day we arrived, I
got a little tour true
Peniquik.
The second day I followed
some classes and in the
evening we had a ceilidh.
At the beginning of the
evening there were a few
performance and later
everybody started danc-
ing.
The next day, we had a
sport day, we had all
kinds of activities and later
that day we had to walk
for a long while. I didn’t
like the walk very much
because I wasn’t used to
the many mountains .
On Friday we went to
Edinburgh. First we got a
little tour along the monu-
ment in Edinburgh. And
Issue 4 Page 3
Sten van Vliet
Maud Lenferink
Isis Tielkes
then we got some shop-
ping time for ourselves.
In the evening we saw a
rugby game in Edin-
burgh. That was really
fun.
Saturday was my last
whole day. This day
was meant as family
day. So I went with Beth
and her Family to the
zoo. In the evening we
had dinner together
with Maud and Zoe and
later that night we met
some other people from
the Comenius project.
Sunday I went back
home.

4. A few months prior to the
Scotland visit, I was told I
would be given the won-
derful and unique oppor-
tunity to host a foreign
pupil. I was very lucky to
host Beatriz from Spain.
My experience began on
8th
September, when I
collected ‘Bea’ from
school. I remember the
buzz of apprehension and
excitement in the air, it
was sure to be a fantastic
week for everyone. Bea
and I clicked instantly; we
had a lot of laughs the
first night! The next day, I,
Bea and a few of my
friends also involved in
Comenius went into Edin-
burgh for their first taste of
Irn Bru and some retail
therapy!
Monday came, and I was
hugely excited for Bea to
experience my school and
meet my friends for the
very first time. I was de-
lighted and honoured to
be a tour guide that week.
I was also delighted for
Bea to visit and partici-
pate in my out-of-school
activities, and I can say
that we definitely enjoyed
it.
Families and pupils were
invited to a ceilidh to take
part in some Scottish
dancing on the Wednes-
day evening. I relished
meeting all of the other
pupils from the different
schools and showing our
guests some Scottish cul-
ture. ‘The Big Day’ was
definitely exhausting and
exciting, we participated
in a sponsored walk with
the rest of the school
around the John Clerk
Estate, and we gave our
guests a taste of some
Scottish sports including
shinty and rugby. On Fri-
day, all of the Comenius
teachers and pupils had a
day out in Edinburgh; we
visited the Royal Mile and
the Scottish Parliament,
climbed Calton Hill and
had lunch while overlook-
ing the city. We were
even lucky enough to
watch a rugby game at
Murrayfield Stadium,
which was even a new
experience for me. On my
final day with Bea, we
went to Edinburgh Castle
with my family. She said
that she had never heard
anything as loud as the
one o’clock gun.
When it was time for Bea
and the other Spanish
pupils to leave it was defi-
nitely emotional and hard.
I have met lots of new
friends and I felt so fortu-
nate to be part of such a
rewarding, fun and match-
less experience like
Comenius. I am so privi-
leged to soon be visiting
Spain, I can’t contain my
excitement! The best
thing is despite com-
pletely different cultures
and differing lifestyles -
variation creates vivid
friendships.
Katie, Scotland
S3
My Comenius Experience
Page 4Issue 4

5. I had an exchange student stay-
ing with me named Ivan Amata
from Italy on the Scottish
Comenius mobility. Before Ivan
arrived and I met him for the
first time, I was full of nerves,
but I was also so excited. My
exchange student arrived on a
Tuesday several days after an-
other couple of exchange stu-
dents from other countries ar-
rived such as the Spanish,
Slovenian and Dutch. I had al-
ready made loads of new
friends with the other visiting
students, who were all very
friendly.
On the day my exchange stu-
dent arrived I couldn't wait, in
school I couldn't stop telling
everyone about it. When I got
home I started learning some
more Italian to pass some time.
When the time came me, my
grandma and granddad went
out into the car and made our
way up to the school to pick
Ivan up. When we arrived Mr.
Mckinstry, a teacher from Peni-
cuik, was there to pair us up.
We were all full of joy talking to
our exchange students. I helped
Ivan get his suitcase out of the
boot and unpack his stuff. I
could tell Ivan was scared as it
was his first time abroad and it
would be weird getting left with
a family you have never met
before. After helping Ivan un-
pack he called home to his fam-
ily. For our first meal together
we had the traditional Scottish
dish of Haggis, Ivan had never
heard of Haggis but he said he
loved it! After our first meal we
went up to the Public astro play-
ing football, something we both
love which also gave us time to
talk to each other about our
hobbies. The next day Ivan got
to experience Penicuik High
School. I think he enjoyed our
school saying it had differ-
ent subjects to that studied
in Italy. After school, me
and Ivan met up with some
of my friends and their ex-
change students to go to
the evening disco. There
we all bonded pretty
quickly dancing together
then after having some
food and listening to some
good old Scottish music.
The following day was
‘THE BIG DAY’. Ivan and I
got to make even more
friends while learning new
dances and new sports.
Me and Ivan had never
tried Shinty and enjoyed
learning. Ivan mentioned
that Shinty was his favour-
ite sport at ‘THE BIG DAY’.
After learning some new
sports and dances we
made our way up the street
for something to eat on top
of our pack lunches be-
cause after lunch we had
the sponsored walk. I
walked with Ivan, my
friends and some new
friends. The night was
great we played football
and volleyball bonding
even more.
Friday was great. We all
met with our exchange stu-
dents outside the school
and made our way on to
the coach. Ivan sat with his
Italian friends and I sat with
the Spanish. When we ar-
rived we first went to the
Parliament and after we
got some free time so me
and my friends went and
got some tablet and Irn Bru
for our friends, none of
them liked it except Ceci.
All of us including the
teachers and visiting teach-
ers made our way up to
Issue 4 Page 5
Comenius Scotland!
Calton hill to get some lunch,
then we had some free time
down on Princess street before
making our way to the rugby
match at Murrayfield. On arri-
val, we had a meal together
which was lovely. This was my
first time ever at a rugby match
and it was amazing, we all had
a great time! Very sadly it was
our last full day on Saturday
with our exchange students.
Me, Ivan, Murray, Jaime,
Cammy and Jirka all went
bowling and then went into Ed-
inburgh to meet up with some
others.
The next day was the worst of
all, saying goodbye. I, my
grandma and my granddad
took Ivan to school for his taxi
to the airport. It was very emo-
tional, later that day I also went
to say bye to the Spanish who I
was very friendly with. Be-
cause I got on with the Spanish
students so well I swapped
with Caleb so he would be go-
ing to Slovenia and I would be
going to Spain!
It was one of the best weeks of
my life but it couldn't have hap-
pened without my grandma
and granddad allowing Ivan to
stay, which I am very grateful
for. Ivan throughout the week
was great in the house, he was
funny and he loved the food. I
keep in touch with Ivan and will
definitely meet up with him
again. I also keep in touch with
some others and I can't wait
until we go to Oviedo, Spain. It
will be amazing! I would like to
make more friends over in
Oviedo and also see how dif-
ferent their culture is to ours!
Dylan Wight
S3
Scotland

6. My Amazing Scottish Experience
And it was amazing. There
was no need t be so scared.
It was simply wonderful.
Also my hosting family was
great. So nice and caring,
really understanding and
helpful when I had moments
when I was really homesick.
The first evening we to-
gether went to visit my
classmate Hanka who was
accommodated nearby. At
night I watched my favourite
movie Mamma mia and
calmed down.
Scottish school seemed to
be big and I was afraid I
could get lost there. But my
hostmate, teachers and
friends were all very caring,
so I didn’t have to worry at
all. I could meet Scottish
traditions, food, games, na-
ture and the most of all
Scottish people and their
mentality. I visited Edin-
burgh, which is a really
lovely city. I have many un-
forgettable memories and
beautiful photos. I visited the
rugby match and didn’t un-
derstand the rules of this
game at all. My hosting fam-
ily took me to the café
where Harry Potter was
written. Since I am his
big fan, I was very grate-
ful for such experience.
In short, I have a lot of
lovely memories and with
Rhona, my hostmate,
and his family we are still
in touch. I will never for-
get this week. And
also…I finally stopped
being scared to speak
English. The Scottish
experience has changed
my life.
Adéla
Teturová
(CZ)
It was an amazing
week in Scotland. I was
looking forward to it so
much and at the same
time I was quite worried
– it meant so many
firsts for me. My first
flight, my first trip
abroad, my first meet-
ing of the hosting fam-
ily. I wasn’t sure how I
would cope with so
many new experiences.
When we came to the
airport and I could for
the first time see that
huge plane, I was
about to give up. I
wanted to turn back
and go home. I couldn’t
imagine to enter the
plane and fly so high
and so far. But some-
where deeply inside I
felt I wanted to experi-
ence it, I wanted to try.
Page 6Issue 4

7. The project meeting in Scotland has been the
best trip of my life so far. I could enjoy a lot. I
really liked my hosting family, the Foleys. And I
think they really liked me. I have decided to
introduce my memories through a few pics I took.
This is the Foleys‘ house and their car which I
really liked.
The hosting family was really caring. And I liked
it very much. Here you can see my packed snack
with my name:
Here you can see my hostmate Andrew and me.
We have become good friends
Scotland 2013 – the best trip of my life
Issue 4 Page 7
I wanted to have some
photo with typical Scottish
atmosphere. The red
phonebox was perfect
The trip to the Scottish capital was amazing. Besides
all the well – known sights I really liked this invisible
man:
I could enjoy some nice
Scottish meals
because I like eating a
lot.
Here is my photo with the hosting parents. They were
very nice. I will never forget the time with them and I
hope we will meet again.
Tibor Sedláček (CZ)

8. During the first and second terms we have
developed different activities related to our
Comenius Project here in Oviedo.
The students group that traveled to
Penicuik in september were reunited with
all the students of secondary 3 to explain
their experience in Scotland. During 1 hour
they told of all the activities they did in
Penicuik and Edimburg and spoke of their
time with the families while they were
showing photos and of these incredible
days.
Our students have created recipes using
local products for the “Comenius recipes
book”. They have also worked on a
booklet about routes and touristic
landmarks which visitors may use to enjoy
local art, architecture and landscapes
while they walk and exercise.
There were three dates highlighted in our
calendar: World Heart Day, World
Food Day and International Day for
Tolerance. Our students created
posters to decorate classrooms and
hallways for each of these events.
They also made presentations for
their peers and watched different
films which helped them to reflect on
these important issues.
Students in ESO year 3 also took
part in games, which they later
presented to students in other levels.
Now they are preparing some
activities for the School’s Festivity in
April and also for the Comenius
Students in May. We will see part of
their work in Slovenia.
Page 8Issue 4
Comenius students have been working different contents related to the World
Heart Day in the Biology and Physical Education class.
World Heart Day was created in 2000 to inform people around the globe that
heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.3
million lives each year and the numbers are rising.
This year’s theme addresses the importance of a life-course approach to the
prevention and control of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with a focus on
women and children.
Healthy diet, healthy lifestyle and regular physical activity are very important
for youngers and we are working it, deeply in this project.
WORLD HEART DAY
Some news from Spain
“Our students
created
posters to
decorate
classrooms
and hallways
for each of
these events”

9. Looking for birds
Looking for the right sound
Looking for trees
Some news from Iceland
Issue 4 Page 9
Two years already. Since September 2012 a lot of work
and tasks have been achieved. Our project, Healthy
Mind in a Healthy Body´ has been introduced to our stu-
dents, staff and community and received a lot of support.
Our project has been debated and promoted. We want
to assure to our school policy has feeling is still satisfac-
tion as well as the certitude that our pupils know a bit
better what Europe is and means. Awareness about dif-
ferent countries and cultures has been developed
through cooperation. Physical activities, history, tradi-
tional sports, environmental matters, cooking and nutri-
tional habits have been reinforced in its convictions. We
are a part of a bigger world and of course of a bigger
Europe even though if Icelandic authorities recently
seem to postpone a full membership of Iceland in EU.
We hope for the best and are waiting for better times.
Our project and projects to come will help us in preparing
a better future.
Travelling is of course a vey mentionable aspect of our
cooperation. Margrét Össurardóttir, Home Economics
teacher and Hálfdan Þorsteinsson, our assistant school
master brought back some wonderful memories from
Penicuik. They underlined the hospitality of our hosts as
well as their organisation. Many things could of course
be described concerning this memorable trip. Margrét
and Hálfdan mentioned the staff and pupils involved in
different activities including traditional Highland Games,
healthy eating workshops, sports coaching and a show-
case of activities available to young people in Penicuik.
We had some introduction and presentation of the so-
called Big Day. Our students were deeply impressed.
They tried to find some trunks to catapult them up in the
air but could not, it’s unfortunate, find any trees in the
area.
Our school is now concentrating on new activities and
tasks. Our pupils our looking forward to knowing how
the students from different countries are gone to wel-
come the Best Game…and our P.E. teacher Hannes is
looking forward to teaching it…
We specially want to greet our friends from Italy and
hope that everything goes as well as possible during this
difficult period.
Regards from Iceland.

10. Our flight had a delay so we came
to Penicuik at one in the morning.
There were hosts waiting for as in
front of the school. I stayed at Kir-
sty Mercer’s house. But there was
no time for sleeping late in the
morning. We had to wake up early
and we went to school. It was fun
and interesting getting to know the
different way of teaching and learn-
ing. In the next days we visited Ed-
inburgh, where we saw the Parlia-
ment, the Castle and we also saw
where Queen Elisabeth II is staying
when she is in Scotland. While we
were walking down town, we
stopped here and there and found
out some more interesting facts
about Edinburgh. Almost at the end
of the day we had some time for
shopping. The Princess Street was
full of shops and people. And for
the grand finale we had a rugby
match to attend to. While we were
in Scotland they also had the Big Day.
That is the time when they play lots of
different Scottish sports games and at the
end there’s a long walk around Penicuik. I
have to admit it was quite exhausting. The
last day of our staying in Scotland wasn’t
planned. We could do whatever we
wanted to. It was meant for us. So Kirsty
and I decided to go with a small group of
students (also from Comenius project) to
the Zoo. It was very nice and fun and we
also saw some animals that we don’t
have in Slovenia. But of course all good
things come to an end. Soon we had to
leave our new Scottish friend behind and
go home.
I will remember this trip because it was
the first time that I flew in an airplane and
also I spent a lovely week and met great
people and some of them I’m going to see
again soon because they are coming to
Slovenia.
Katjajani Durkov, Slovenia
When my teacher told me that I was going to Scotland I was so happy and
excited about it, I can’t even describe how happy I was. I was so excited that I
counted down the days till the departure.
The 9th
September was here and those 5 lessons at school were the longest
hours in my life. I went home as quickly as I could, packed all my things and
waited for my mom to take me to the airport. I was a little nervous but more
excited. I had a really nice group of people with me so I wasn’t bored. We came
to Scotland late in the night so I was very tired of flying and all that stuff. While I
stayed in Scotland I had an amazing time and I learnt a lot of different things like
playing shinty, learnt new words, improved my English and met so many
amazing people. I had the time of my life. I am thrilled that I had this opportunity
and I would like to go back. I really enjoyed that week in Scotland and I’m so
thankful to my teachers who gave me the chance that many students don’t have.
I can’t wait until March when the Comenius students and teachers are coming to Slovenia
and I can’t wait to see my friends I met in Scotland.
Eva Križaj, Slovenia
MY IMPRESSION OF SCOTLAND
Page 10Issue 4
“I will
remember
this trip
because it
was the first
time that I
flew in an
airplane and
also I spent a
lovely week
and met great
people and
some of them
I’m going to
see again
soon because
they are
coming to
Slovenia.”

11. Trip to Scotland was one
of my favourites. Every
day was full of activities,
new things and exciting
stuffs. I learned many
things like playing hockey,
shinty and of course I
learned some new English
words J. I tried typical
dishes (haggis, meaps,
tatties ...), went shopping
(in Princess Street there
are many shops, that is
absolutely great), took lots
of photos, saw Edinburgh
and went to a rugby
match (I don’t like rugby, I
think it is boring). I made
friendships as well. I’ve
got now many pen-
friends and I hope
they’ll visit me too. I
think Scotland is a very
beautiful country and
the whole week there
was an incredible ex-
perience, which I'd like
to do it again.
Marija Okršlar,
Slovenia
MOBILITY TO SCOTLAND
Issue 4 Page 11
Photos by Špelca Prestor and Maja
Šenk Zidar

12. The arrival was imminent,
a few bends more, and
we will be there !
“something wrong …. the
driver and other cars on
the wrong side of the road
…I’m a bit nervous” .We
finally arrived at school.
The trip was a great ex-
perience , it was my first
time in a foreign country,
my first time on a plane,
and the first time I that I
was on my own. Wow all
in one ! When the car
stopped all my fears
had passed and every-
thing was all right . In
front of the school in Peni-
cuik there were 4 boys
with their families and a
few teachers waiting for
us. I finally met my mate
Dylan Wight he is very
athletic he looked like a
football player . He was
accompanied by his
grandparents , two
friendly and loving people
who welcomed me and
treated me as one of their
grandchildren , and I
thank them very much .
To top it all Dylan’s
grandfather is a football
coach, and this was a
double treat it was
great ! ! The first night I
was still a bit nervous ,
but thanks to their hospi-
tality everything went
very well . Dylan was a
true friend who always
tried to help me . As soon
as I walked into their
house I was presented
with a sheet of paper
where all the words in
English that could be use-
ful to me were translated
in Italian .It was a great
thing, they really went out
of their way to make me
feel at home.
Everything worked out
well , my first plane flight
was quite fun after all and
not too frightening , I got
through the presentations
without making too many
mistakes in English. The
school activities were fun,
and I met a lot of new
friends. Our trip to Edin-
burgh was the best ever.I
want to thank Dylan’s
family again for the great
week, and thanks to all
the Comenius teachers
who made this trip possi-
ble .Ciaooooo !!
Ivan Amata
The arrival in Scotland
Page 12Issue 4

13. The day that I liked the most
in Scotland was when we
went around the city of Edin-
burgh visiting the different
parts of city, the Royal Mile,
the Edinburgh Castle , but the
best part of all for me was
the exceptional evening event
when we went to see a
Rugby match at the Murray-
field Stadium.
Early in the morning in Peni-
cuik my Italian classmate
told me that the day before
he had gone to play football,
as he spoke about this the
bus that was to take us to
the Scottish Parliament ar-
rived. Once in Edinburgh I
was very much impressed by
all that we saw and after a
long walk on the Royal Mile
we arrived at the Scottish
Parliament and Mr. Frazer
our great guide explained
that the building had been
designed by the Italian archi-
tect Renzo Piano. While we
waited in a row ' to pass the
time I ate some sandwiches
that I had made that morning
at the Hamish’s house. We
entered the beautiful building
visited the ground floor and
went upstairs where we sat
above the beautiful chamber where
the MPs met . Leaving the Parlia-
ment we went to the upper part of
Edinburgh and after a long walk we
arrived on a hill top Calton Hill
where we could see the whole city
below, we had a splendid view of
the coast and of the sea Here there
was an unfinished sort neoclassic
temple where we took pictures of a
tower with a ball attached to the top
that fell to 12.00 a.m . After we went
to see the Edinburgh Castle ,it was
impressing and the thing that I found
quite different from castles in our
area was the color of the stones We
went to the centre of Edinburgh
where we saw a man doing an at-
tractions in the street with .We got
to a meeting point near Adam
Smith’s statue and we were free to
do some shopping, I went with Ivan
and Vitaly my Italian school friends
to buy a new video game with our
Scottish friends but we did find the
ones we wanted, there were many
interesting shops and a lot of things
to buy After an hour we went to the
meeting point again and we headed
to the stadium. On the way there I
saw bus with a familiar sign on it O
SOLE MIO and that was the proof
that ITALY and Italians are EVERY-
WHERE. We arrived at the stadium
we saw a Rugby team and coach
and the players, we said hello to
them but they weren’t all that
friendly. We entered the stadium
and this was the one of the big
treats of the day for me, then we
had dinner in one the official building
at the stadium and we had LASA-
GNA , an epic moment for me, it
was like being home. After eating
we went inside the stadium to watch
the game , it was all exceptional ,the
lights, the field, the smell of fresh cut
grass, the speaker the players the
spectators and the cheers. The best
conclusion of a wonderful day! it
was like being in dreamland. This
was followed by shopping in the
sports shop and we spent every
pound left . The next day I went trek-
king with Hamish and his family .
They all did their best to make me
feel at home from the moment I ar-
rived, since I was quite homesick
during the trip and during my home
stay, sorry ! next time I will do bet-
ter ! We went on one of the highest
mountain in Scotland which was as
high as Monte Prato a mountain
near my town . Thanks again to
Hamish and to his family. Hope to
se you again , maybe in Italy.
Paolo Nardelli
RUGBY
Issue 4 Page 13

14. Our trip to CZ Republic in May
2013 was a five day treat, we
had a wonderful time and we
had a chance to see some old
friends and also to meet
some new ones. We did many
interesting things and each of
us enjoyed different activi-
ties proposed to us . We all
had a great time with the
recycled sport equipment
and the games we played ,
and the presentations were
quite a success and very
stressing for us. Among the
other things we saw we were
all very much impressed by
our visit to the Spielberg Cas-
tle in Brno on Friday 31st
May . Our history teacher had
talked to us about it before
our trip but seeing it and go-
ing through it and through
the Casemates was quite a
different experience.
What made it particularly
interesting for us was the
reference to Italian soldiers,
who fought there and the
reference to the Italian Car-
bonari, and also to Italian
patriots and writers who had
left traces of their passage.
The Spielberg was the prison
in which many Italians had
been imprisoned during the
Italian Risorgimento , that is
during their struggle for inde-
pendence during the Austrian
domain in Italy in the
1800’s On coming back to
school we talked about this
and did some research work
and our teacher assigned us
to read the pamphlet writ-
ten by a Silvio Pellico, the
Italian play writer and
dramatist and member of
the Carbonari movement.
He was condemned to
prison by the Austrians be-
cause of his nationalistic
political ideas and for his
writings in the Conservatore,
a political journal published
in Milano in those years and
suppressed by the Austrians.
What made him famous
during his lifetime was his
pamphlet Le Mie Prigioni /
My Prison, a little book
written after he had been
released from the Spielberg
in which he wrote about the
hardships during his 8 years
imprisonment in the Case-
mates of the Spielberg. Hav-
ing walked through the cas-
tle on a grim , rainy , cold
day, and to have walked
through the cells ,actually
seeing the torture cham-
bers where he had been for
such a long time, with hun-
dreds of other political pris-
oners and with other crimi-
Remembring CZ Republic
Page 14Issue 4
nals from different parts of
Europe was quite impress-
ing. Realizing that the pris-
oners there only wore
heavy cotton tunics that
simply could not have been
warm enough for the cold
winter temperatures in that
part of Moravia, eating very
small rations of food made
us actually aware of the
suffering and the gloom that
lingered in that place. Fortu-
nately after this visit were
absolutely free, and we
had great fun in Brno, shop-
ping and visiting the city
with our Comenius friends.
The Spielberg Castle is still
overlooking the city of Brno
in all its splendor paying
homage to all who have
been there .
Eramo Angelo - Imperioli
Riccardo - Santangeli Danie-
le - Nardone Priamo
Italian Comenius students
Post Scriptum .....
This article on the Chez
Mobilty was accidently
lost so we insert it now.